This new player just announced at 2012 CES looks really nice. I have a Bryston SP1.7 pre-pro which does not have HDMI & of course does not decode the latest
surround formats. Rather than turf a really good quality pre pro I can go through the BDT500 7.1 analog inputs. There are other players out there that do similar but they can get pricey. Curious to see what this retails for.

Looks like every other year. The Uniphier is their proprietary chip, like some use a Marvell or Mediatek. It's been a really good performer, and they make incremental advances every year. I know the Uniphier upgrades announced this summer were interesting, so hopefully they continue to advance it. I really like the look of the 500.

It sounds to me that the improvements in this model over last year's BDT310 are mostly audio processing related. That and the new remote, of course. If the player isn't doing the audio decoding, then it doesn't sound like much else was added. Anyone else thinking the same thing?

Per several video/audio sites and Panasonic there is an increase in video processing since the new 2012 Panasonic blu ray players will employ a newly designed Uniphier processor that increases video quality 50% over the current models. Of course the new models will have 192kHz/32bit Audio DACs. These improvements surpass the current 2011 models, Im buying the new 2012 model for sure!

looks like a very interesting player, as I need high quality analog audio (stereo only in my case). Now if only they fixed the bug that analog audio is shut off when setting the player to 24p like with the current x10 series...

Re: checkerboard 3D format, hopefully these new players do still support it. It would be nice if they also now supported it for use with the 2D to 3D conversion feature as well as with VIERA feature such as Netflix

Re: checkerboard 3D format, hopefully these new players do still support it. It would be nice if they also now supported it for use with the 2D to 3D conversion feature as well as with VIERA feature such as Netflix

These players unfortunately will have Cinavia builtin correct? Thankfully only primarily Sony is polluting their soundtracks with it, though I fear other studios may join in when it becomes more widespread in standalones....

Has anyone heard what the MSRP for this player would be. I have a Sony S5000ES and love it. Not really looking to upgrade but still wondering. The build quality of my sony is phenomenal (weighs 23 lbs). The 310 is a feather weight by comparison.

This new player just announced at 2012 CES looks really nice. I have a Bryston SP1.7 pre-pro which does not have HDMI & of course does not decode the latest
surround formats. Rather than turf a really good quality pre pro I can go through the BDT500 7.1 analog inputs. There are other players out there that do similar but they can get pricey. Curious to see what this retails for.

I just read the press release and it doesn't state anything about the player supporting 7.1 analog. It only states the BDT500 provides for 7.1 channel output, which means the player can decode 7.1, which is my understanding.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartwater

Per several video/audio sites and Panasonic there is an increase in video processing since the new 2012 Panasonic blu ray players will employ a newly designed Uniphier processor that increases video quality 50% over the current models. Of course the new models will have 192kHz/32bit Audio DACs. These improvements surpass the current 2011 models, Im buying the new 2012 model for sure!

There is a "50% increase in vertical color data processing" not a 50% increase in video quality.

I blew the pic up in an outside editor and the words 'analog out' seem to be above the RCA connectors.

Also, I see no reason for Panasonic to spend ANY money on high grade DAC's if they are not providing multi-channel pre-outs. I will be surprised to see if the '500 omits this feature.

I can't open that link, but the Pioneer Elite BDP-53 has 32 Bit DACs, but no 7.1 analog pre-outs, only 2 channel. 32 bit DACs is not a prerequisite for 7.1 analog pre-outs. Also, I don't think Panasonic spent any significant amount on DACs. As an example Burr Brown PCM1795 32 bit DACs are only $7.05 each depending on quantity.

I can't open that link, but the Pioneer Elite BDP-53 has 32 Bit DACs, but no 7.1 analog pre-outs, only 2 channel. 32 bit DACs is not a prerequisite for 7.1 analog pre-outs. Also, I don't think Panasonic spent any significant amount on DACs. As an example Burr Brown PCM1795 32 bit DACs are only $7.05 each depending on quantity.

If Panasonic failed to include 7.1 analog pre-outs, their press release is an abject failure. The PR and the audioholics article both lead one to believe that they have included 7.1 analog pre-outs. If it doesn't, I just won't buy one.

The Pio Elite is geared much more toward 2-channel listeners, and even considering that, their failure to include a full pre-out compliment has hurt their sales.

I already know that the chips used in our players are vastly cheaper than the players themselves. That's not news. Further, Panasonic's current marketing materials have obviously lead most posters in this thread to believe that the BDT 500 has 7.1 analog pre-outs. If it does not have this feature, their marketing has failed.

If Panasonic failed to include 7.1 analog pre-outs, their press release is an abject failure. The PR and the audioholics article both lead one to believe that they have included 7.1 analog pre-outs. If it doesn't, I just won't buy one.

The Pio Elite is geared much more toward 2-channel listeners, and even considering that, their failure to include a full pre-out compliment has hurt their sales.

I already know that the chips used in our players are vastly cheaper than the players themselves. That's not news. Further, Panasonic's current marketing materials have obviously lead most posters in this thread to believe that the BDT 500 has 7.1 analog pre-outs. If it does not have this feature, their marketing has failed.

BufordT,

I agree with you 100% about potentially not having 7.1 pre-outs is failure and Pioneer has already dropped the ball on this. Pioneer further shot themselves in the foot by limiting their 2nd HDMI out to audio only. Normally manufacturers only taught their DACs if they offer both 2 channel and 7.1 analog connectivity and the press releases normally state as much. I will stay tuned for further developments. Thanks for the link.